Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
| Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône | ||
|---|---|---|
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| region | Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône | |
| Arrondissement | Istres | |
| Canton | Arles | |
| Community association | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | |
| Coordinates | 43 ° 23 ' N , 4 ° 48' E | |
| height | 0-3 m | |
| surface | 73.38 km 2 | |
| Residents | 8,449 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 115 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 13230 | |
| INSEE code | 13078 | |
| Website | www.portsaintlouis.fr/ | |
 Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Tour Saint-Louis |
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Port-Saint-Louis-du- Rhône is a municipality with 8449 inhabitants (at January 1, 2017) in France and is located in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône , in the region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur .
geography
The city is located on the left bank of the Rhône (Grand-Rhône), about six kilometers from its confluence with the Mediterranean . Since the mouth of the Rhône is not navigable for ships, the Canal Saint-Louis was built, which leads the inland vessels through the city port of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône into the Gulf of Fos east of the city .
In the area north and east of the gulf there are mighty port and industrial facilities, especially in Fos-sur-Mer and Port-de-Bouc . To the west of the city, the flat landscape in the mouth of the Rhône is characterized by brackish water swamps and is home to an interesting fauna and flora as we know them from the neighboring Camargue .
history
The establishment of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône was ordered by Napoléon Bonaparte . The port was opened in 1864 and the Canal Saint-Louis in 1873. The city was elevated to a parish in 1904.
- For a detailed timetable, see the Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône timetable
Population development
| year | 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2007 | 2016 |
| Residents | 6278 | 8285 | 10,393 | 10,378 | 8624 | 8123 | 8530 | 8519 |
| Sources: Cassini and INSEE | ||||||||
economy
Shipping , handling and trading led to a golden age that slowly came to an end in the 1960s. In 1966 the port was integrated into the Autonomous Port of Marseille . At the beginning of the 1970s, the state decided to create the industrial port complex of Fos and to cease activities in the central basin of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, which no longer corresponded to the new technology of sea transport, or to Fos -sur-mer too embarrassed.
The transformation of the central port basin into a marina for recreational boating from 1989 onwards was a key moment in the history of the city and a symbol of its revival: the city, located between the Rhône and the Mediterranean, was able to exploit the ubiquity of water on its territory: the fishing, the products of the sea, the water sports , especially the sailing sports and the beaches now make up the wealth of this port city.
Attractions
The Saint-Louis tower is the oldest monument in the city: it dates from 1737. It has been used throughout its history as a lighthouse and watchtower. From its terrace you have an exceptional view of the Camargue, the Rhône and the salt marshes. The tower now houses the tourist office and an ornithological collection.
About eight kilometers southeast of the tower is a four kilometers long and 200 m wide, fine sandy beach that can be reached by car.
Web links
- Official website of the city (French)